The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-26
ABNORMAL MENTALITY.
The Origin of Geniuses. and Some Causes of
Mental 0bliquity-A Scientific View.

There is little doubt that we regard many per-
sons as insane VINO have an abnormal develop
ment OF mental powers, owing to the unusual
mechanical structure and arrangement of GER
tain parts of the BRAIN in other words, the mind
is not evenly DEVELOPED and does not work hor-
moniously in all its parts. A well balanced
brain would make a good average manly no
means a remarkable one. Persons with I'M
evenly-developed brains may be classed frcm
geniuses to idiots, leaving long space between
for the great variety of cranks, constitutional
fools and kuaves, of which the world has been
full since records of mans folly have been tab
uated. Were it not for the mental deformity
of tho human race there would be as
little variety manifest in mans social relations
as there is between herds OF cattle and swine, or
foeks of sheep or geese. If we examine the
brain land all that pertains to it's functons) in
the lower animals. there is a great sameness of
weight. form and structure, each after its kind;
all blaekbrds brains alike; the rabbits do not
differ from one another to any great degree; in
foxes and dogs little more variation may be
observed.
When comparative anatomy shows that in any
one kind of the lower animals there are individ-
ual differences of structure of the brain, then
notice also that pecularities of action make we'll
observed distinctions. or produce character
There is but little character manifest in Individ-
ual robins. geese rabbits or sheep. but in
dogs and horses, the most common observer de-
tects the various grades of smartness
or. STUPIDITY, There ., probably has
when men were exactly alike in structure
that they thought alike and acted alike: it
when men lived in tribes and were moved by a
chief or leader, that leader being. perhaps, the
onlv one with any individuality. MANY of the
qualities OF the human mind which become dis
tinguishing features of the individual arise from
purely accidental A fall or blow upon
the head in childhood may frequently derange
the action of part of the brain in such way
as to mark the adult life of the individual with
unwonted brilliancy unlooked-for stupidity.
A boy. with no tendency from parenJage to men
tai ability. to be different from his rather
stupid brothers and sisters by accident loses
the of his legs and becomes a cripple for life.
The lack of general muscular development turns
the current of blood to feed his brain. and he de-
velops into a scholar and writer of renown. a
mechanical genius poet stupid boy, who
never could learn the multiplication table. was
kicked by a horse, and after some weeks OF IN
consciousness recovered his health and remark
able mathematical ability Immediately de-
veloped. making him superior to all in that same
class where SO long he held the position most
inferior.
Many instances in our Insane Hospital show
considerable, upright and pure in their habits and
language have, from slight injury OF the brain,
become quarrelsome dangerous, dishonest and
impure in speech and action. The experimental
psychologist frequently produces epilepsy in
lower animals to illustrate certain functions of
the brain. These animals become epileptic, and
eny, creating epSeptc race. And
thus an accident which may sharpen the
wits of a Ounce may likewise darken the
brilliancy of born genius. Like the epilepsy
produced by experiment the accidentally In
duced stupidity will be handed down through
the descendants. Thus nature provides for that
variety and scope of mental power which dis
tinguishes man from all other animals. There
are unthinking persons who are always worrying
about the gen'uses, cranks, or the weak minded
people who occupy so much of the worlds atten-
ton But we must remember that few of them
could possible be otherwise. and all of them
good purpose in life. All the various
types of religious fanaticism which the world
has known have had general tendency to good.
but none of their leaders could have escaped the
of hospital for the insane If the two
justices of the peace and two nj. D.. of which
tho average lunacy commission is composed. had
examined them. All the great inventions and
discoveries be traced to their
origin in the called crank or lobbyist. and
our best poetry to men eccentric that they
would find their disease marked in the
clature of insanity w. B. FLETCHER, Nj. d.